Today we will tackle the 3rd of our series in Atlanta Braves minor organization honors, this time around having a look at the very best defender in the system. Projecting defensive capacity is among the more difficult things to do in relation to minors players as without the wealth of details readily available at the major organization level we're left assessing individuals by eye throughout the period. Previously this week we went through out player of the year and bottle of the year awards. MiLB Gamer of the YearMiLB Bottle of the YearYour Victor: Ignacio Alvarez Jr. Alvarez entered into the system with a reputation for his defense, being understood at Riverside Neighborhood College in The golden state as a remarkable third baseman. His initial step, arm strength, and sure hands made him a vacuum at the warm corner. However, after 13 video games at the hot corner in newbie sphere in 2022 the Braves made the surprising decision to change Alvarez over to shortstop, a step they maintained with going into 2023. It is uncommon for any kind of gamer to relocate from one more placement to shortstop, as generally at the lower degrees of amateur baseball the best athletes are playing premium defensive positions. Nonetheless in Alvarez's came the Braves felt they might remove extra worth from him by offering him a run at the shortstop placement, and hence much it appears to have actually paid dividends. Alvarez lacks the normal foot speed of a big league shortstop, but he has been able to offset that with his dependability in the various other areas of his video game Ray Kerr Jersey. As stated his reactions and reaction time stand apart, enabling him to place himself in a good setting to make plays early on in their development. This allows him to mask shortcomings with his speed and still create a solid range at shortstop. Alvarez additionally has among the better arms in the system, able to make any type of toss from the shortstop position easily. This enables him going to his right to make plays others in the system might not have the ability to, as his arm can comprise those split-seconds essential on close ground rounds. Alvarez led all South Atlantic Organization shortstops in video games dipped into shortstop and innings played, and placed second amongst those in the league with 450+ innings with a Clete Boyer Jersey. 965 fielding percentage. Other candidatesCody Milligan is just in his 2nd season since transferring to the outfield, but he has actually rapidly taken to facility area. Injuries restricted his having fun time in 2023, but when he got on the field he was a standout protector in the center of the Mississippi outfield protection. Milligan's rate is his calling card as he has the variety to locate most fly spheres in center field, however he has actually likewise thrilled with his initial step speed and capacity to track. As he additionally finds out to play outfield he predicts as a plus protector around, providing him a possibility to stick as a significant organization fourth outfielder. Braden Shewmake's protection has been the gem of his account as a small leaguer, something that had not been always anticipated when he was drafted. Still he swiftly proved he was going to stick at shortstop once he reached professional round, and this year he split his time equally in between shortstop and second base. The Braves believe in Shewmake's defense, really feeling able to allow him to find out other positions while still anticipating Shewmake to be able to port back in at shortstop whenever needed. Shewmake played in 119 video games this year between second base and shortstop and had actually a Bobby Cox Jersey. 985 fielding percentage. Justin Dean makes emphasize reels for his tosses from the outfield, with opponents currently recognizing not to truly evaluate him around. Dean can play all three outfield positions well, possessing plus rate and strong routes that enable him to locate fly balls with the most effective of them. Dean largely plays in facility area, getting 81 games at the setting this period, and in 104 total outfield appearances made simply one error.